SAN ANTONIO – The San Antonio City Council's Public Safety Committee voted Wednesday to send a host of policy recommendations to the entire City Council for discussion.
The issue will be heard by the entire council on Dec. 3.
The recommendations would amend Chapter 33 of the city's code, which governs the local vehicle-for-hire industry. Despite multiple cease-and-desist orders, drivers for transportation companies such as Uber and Lyft continue to operate in San Antonio illegally.
So far, seven drivers have received citations and several cars have been impounded.
The recommendations were developed by city staff and a Public Safety Committee task force.
Among the recommendations are: requiring drivers to obtain a permit, the requirement for a 10-fingerprint identification and criminal history checks for transportation network company or TNC drivers, annual inspections by a third-party certified auto repair shop, pre-approval and "for-cause" drug tests.
Chief William McManus said the recommendations were designed to level the playing field for the newer TNC companies and the local vehicle-for-hire industry while still protecting the public.
"We are not proposing any kind of compromise on public safety issues for the transportation network companies," McManus said.
One of the larger issues that has yet to be resolved is the amount of insurance TNC drivers must carry. The city has recommended three tiers with varied amounts of coverage, but Yellow Cab president John Bouloubasis said insurance requirements for TNCs should be the same as vehicles-for-hire.
"The city needs to understand the insurance. Put the right insurance framework together as it stands today so it's a level playing field," he said. "There shouldn't be a discrepancy when you get into a (cab) or a TNC."
Leandre Johns, general manager for Uber, said he's comfortable with the insurance requirements Uber already has in place, but he said more discussion is needed before moving forward with any policy changes.
"(We) feel very comfortable having a million-dollar policy in place per every single ride that occurs which is currently higher than ... the limits here in San Antonio," Johns said. "I think (the Public Safety Committee Task Force) did a good job of talking about the issues in trying to get to a draft proposal that could go forward that might have some innovation in it. I don't think we got all the way there. I think there is more conversation that needs to be had and hopefully we can continue this conversation even at the council level."